SMCP: MESSAGE MARKERS

In shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication or radio communication in general, the following eight Message Markers may be used:

(1)Instruction

(2)Advice

(3)Warning

(4)Information

(5)Question

(6)Answer

(7)Request

(8)Intention

As conversations on VHF usually operate in call-and-response pairs of messages, the Seaspeak message markers include pairs such as:

1) Question: What is your position?

Answer: My position is 3 miles E of Cape Midia

-

2) Instruction: Go to berth number 5

Instruction received: I will go to berth number 5

3) Advice: Please anchor, distance: two miles from Star Point

Advice Received: I will anchor, distance: two miles from Star Point.

4) Request: I require two tugs.

Request received: You require two tugs.

5) Information: The pilot is waiting near buoy number six.

Information received: The pilot is waiting near buoy number six.

6) Intention: I intend to turn to port.

Intention received: You intend to turn to port.

7) Warning: I am manoeuvring with difficulty.

Warning received: You are manoeuvring with difficultyAmbiguous words

Some words in English have meanings depending on the context in which they appear. Misunderstandings frequently occur, especially in VTS communications, and have produced accidents. Such words are: the conditionals "may", "might", "should" and "could;

The word "can"The word "can" describes either the possibility or the capability of doing something. In the IMO SMCP the situations where phrases using the word "can" appear make it clear whether a possibility is referred to. In an ambiguous context, however, say, for example: "QUESTION. Do I have permission to use the shallow draft fairway at this time?" Do not say: "Can I use the shallow draft fairway at this time?" if you are asking for a permission. (The same applies to the word "may").

Standard verbs

Do not use the verbs HAVE TO / WANT / MAY / MIGHT / CAN / COULD / SHOULD

Do not say: You have to alter course to port, but say: You must alter course.

Do not say: Do I have to take a pilot?, but say: Must I take a pilot?

Do not say: I want to pass ahead of you, but say: Intention: I wish to pass ahead of you.

Do not say: You may not enter the fairway, but say: Do not enter the fairway.

Do not say: May I proceed?, but say: Do I have permission to proceed?

Do not say: I might enter the fairway now, but say: Intention: I will enter the fairway.

Do not say: Can I heave up anchors?, but say: Do I have permission to heave anchors?

Do not say: You might run into danger, but say: Warning: you are running into danger!

Do not say: You could run into danger, but say: Warning: you are running into danger!

Do not say: You should reduce your speed, but say: You must reduce speed.

Shortened forms such as: IM / YOURE / DONT / IVE must not be used. Instead, you must use: I AM, YOU ARE, DO NOT, I HAVEResponsesWhen the answer to a question is in the affirmative, say:

"Yes .... " followed by the appropriate phrase in full.

When the answer to a question is in the negative, say:

"No ..." followed by the appropriate phrase in full.

When the information requested is not immediately available, say:

"Stand by " followed by the time interval within which the information will be available.

When the information requested cannot be obtained, say:

"No information."

When an INSTRUCTION (e.g. by a VTS Station, naval vessel or other fully authorized personnel ) or an ADVICE is given, respond if in the affirmative:

"I will/can ... " - followed by the instruction or advice in full; and, if in the negative, respond:

"I will not/cannot ... " - followed by the instruction or advice in full.

Example: "ADVICE. Do not overtake the vessel to the North of you."

Respond: "I will not overtake the vessel to the North of me."

Responses to orders and answers to questions of special importance both in external and onboard communication are given in wording in the phrases concerned.

Standard organizational phrases

The question "How do you read (me)?" may be answered by using the phrase I read you bad, -poor, -fair, -good or -excellent, or by a signal strength indication.

"I read you ...

bad/one

signal strength one (i.e. barely perceptible)

poor/two signal strength two (i.e. weak)

fair/three

signal strength three (i.e. fairly good)

good/four signal strength four (i.e. good)

excellent/five signal strength five(i.e. very good)

When it is advisable to remain on a VHF Channel / frequency, say:

"Stand by on VHF Channel ... / frequency ... ."

When it is accepted to remain on the VHF channel / frequency indicated, say:

"Standing by on VHF Channel ... / frequency ... ."

When it is advisable to change to another VHF Channel / frequency, say:

"Advise (you) change to VHF Channel ... / frequency ... ."

"Advise(you) try VHF Channel .. / frequency... ."

When the changing of a VHF Channel / frequency is accepted, say:

"Changing to VHF Channel ... / frequency ... ."

CorrectionsWhen a mistake is made in a message, say:

"Mistake ..." followed by the word:

"Correction ... " plus the corrected part of the message.

Example: "My present speed is 14 knots - mistake.

Correction, my present speed is 12, one-two, knots."

RepetitionIf any part of the message is considered sufficiently important to need safeguarding, say:

"Repeat ... " - followed by the corresponding part of the message.

Example: "My draft is 12.6 repeat one-two decimal 6 metres."

"Do not overtake - repeat - do not overtake."

When a message is not properly heard, say:

"Say again (please)."

I. In order to understand a message completely it is necessary to know its function. See if you can identify the function of these messages in the spaces provided:

: Buoy number two-six is unlit.

....: What are my berthing instructions?

: No vessels are at the anchorage.

....: Go to berth number eight.

: What is your draught aft?

: Advise you keep your present course.

: I expect to be underway within period: two hours.

: Please provide fire-fighting assistance.

: Push on my port bow.

.: The vessel ahead of you is stopping.

II. Rewrite these sentences into the Seaspeak format:

a) Large vessel leaving. Keep clear of the approach channel.

.

b) At what time do you expect to arrive at the harbour entrance?

.

c) I will attempt rescue by Breeches-buoy.

.

d) You did say your length was two hundred metres, didnt you?

e) It would be better for you to pass ahead of me as I am slowing down.

f) Im afraid that shore based radar assistance is not available.

.

g) Ok. Thanks for the warning. Ill keep a look out for wreckage.

.III. Transform the following sentences into SMCPs:

1) Fire cannot be extinguished by the vessels own equipment.

2) Six crewmembers have been injured.

3) Three crewmembers were killed.

4) Vessel has had a collision with an unknown object.

5) Vessel is adrift.

6) Vessel is being attacked by pirates.

7) No damage has been caused to the ship and the vessel will continue her voyage.

8) Someone has fallen overboard.

9) Vessel needs asks for medical assistance.

10) Vessel asks for helicopter with doctor.

11) Message from RCC: helicopter is airborne and on its way.

12) The helicopter is going to use a rescue sling.